Posts Tagged ‘Inquest

Tomorrow’s hearing in the inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock will not feature the much-awaited testimony by Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand.

Instead, a mention date is being fixed for proceedings against Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz for alleged contempt of court for calling Pornthip, the director of the Thai Ministry of Justice’s Central Institute of Forensic Science, a “liar”.

Nazri had allegedly labelled Pornthip a liar after she claimed to have come under “political pressure” from Malaysia with regards to her involvement in the inquest.

Several ministers have assured her of her safety if she continues to testify, provided she gives details of those threats so that action can be taken.

Teoh family lawyer, Karpal Singh, filed the motion at the Shah Alam magistrate’s court on Friday, supported by an affidavit by Beng Hock’s brother, Meng Kee.

The fact that Dr Pornthip had to be asked to testify at all is a damning statement on how low the belief is in our justice system. Her presence casts a shadow over the judiciary.

THE controversy surrounding Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand especially the cicumstances surrounding her reluctance to return to testify at the Teoh Beng Hock inquiry is something that does not surprise me.

There are accusations and counter accusation by so many sides – some even defamatory.

However, that is not what I wish to concentrate on here. There is a bigger issue. The question that we should be asking is why did we have to obtain the services of Dr Pornthip in the first place?

True, she is very good at what she does, and it was through her efforts that forensic sciences in Thailand have developed by leaps and bounds.

But she was brought in not just for her expertise but because, frankly, of a lack of faith in the Malaysian justice system.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz acts tough, talks big and throws his weight around. He thinks he is very smart and knows everything! After all, he is also the minister in charge of parliamentary affairs and the de facto Law Minister.

Those who refuse to tolerate Nazri’s nonsense have to contend with his temper tantrums and theatrics. Apart from his childish threats and taunts, the Minister has become adept through the years with turning and twisting the truth whilst calling others liars.

It was typical of him to accuse Thai pathologist Dr. Pornthip of being a liar: “She lied in the inquest and she is lying now”. Dr. Pornthip has claimed that Putrajaya has exercised “political pressure” which “could affect her work” in Southern Thailand thereby forcing her to pull out from testifying in the on-going Teoh Beng Hock inquest.

It is indeed ironic that the Minister should be so quick to accuse others of lying, for when it comes to telling lies no one has left such an indelible mark on Malaysian politics than Mohd Nazri Abdul Aziz.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz may be cited for contempt of court for making a statement that Thai pathologist Dr Porntip Rojanasunan had lied in her testimony at the inquest into the death of political aide Teoh Beng Hock, according to a lawyer of Teoh’s family.

Gobind Singh Deo said on Monday, April 12, that citing Nazri for contempt is something his clients would consider.

“I am not going to rule out the possibility now,” said Gobind. “He has made an allegation. If he does not prove it, then we have to consider taking things further. One is contempt proceedings at the inquest.”

“But let’s take one thing at a time. Let’s give him an opportunity to respond,” Gobind said. “I am interested to know, if he said one of our witnesses is lying then he should come up with proof.”

Speaking to reporters at the parliament lobby, the Puchong MP, said Nazri should not jump to the conclusion that Porntip was lying without conducting an investigation.

Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand’s reported pull-out from testifying in Teoh Beng Hock’s inquest next week due to political interference has raised fears among the Teoh family and the DAP that the case is being tampered with at the highest level.

The Selangor government has confirmed the Thai pathologist is not returning when the inquest resumes on April 20 but they want the coroner to agree to testimony via video-conferencing.

“Any effort to impede a fair hearing in the TBH case is an effort to cover up the truth and should be condemned,” Teoh’s younger sister, Lee Lan, said in a text message to The Malaysian Insider.

“The family wants Pornthip to come,” she added.

Several DAP lawmakers also told The Malaysian Insider today that they are worried about the repercussions on the inquest if Dr Pornthip does not show up to testify.

“If she cannot come we’ll be very disappointed,” said Selangor state executive councillor Ean Yong Hian Wah, who was also Teoh’s boss.

Dr Pornthip, 54, the director-general of Thailand’s Central Institute of Forensic Science, had reportedly pulled out from the ongoing case, claiming she was forced to do so because of “political pressure” from Putrajaya that could affect her work in southern Thailand.

The Selangor government will try to get the Coroner’s court in the Teoh Beng Hock inquest to agree to a video conferencing proposal in a desperate bid to get forensic expert Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand to testify.

The Thai pathologist has pulled out from testifying when the death inquest resumes on April 20, citing “political pressure” from Putrajaya that could affect her work in southern Thailand.

An aide from the Selangor Mentri Besar’s office told The Malaysian Insider today that Pornthip’s withdrawal had caught them by surprise and forced them to meet and discuss ways to have the pathologist testify.

“So far, apart from convincing Pornthip to reconsider, video conferencing is the only option that has popped out,” said the senior aide.

“We will try and convince the judge to agree to this soon,” the aide added.

He, however, affirmed in court that it was not likely that the strangulation killed him and that his fall was the cause of death.

“He (Dr Shahidan) agreed that the injuries to the front part of the neck might have not been connected to the injuries of the fall. It’s open to argue that it could be a pre-fall injury,” said Malik, who is the lawyer for the Selangor state government.

Teoh, a Selangor government political secretary, was found dead last July 16 at the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) Selangor office after an overnight interrogation.

Malik explained to reporters that the injuries to the throat muscle could have been caused by choking or strangulation.